[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

our attention. Could you give me an educated guess about the state of my
health? I know I feel fine except for the throbbing in my arm and head."
The doctor stared at Chazz for a few moments. "I'd prefer that you stay, but
I feel that you're in pretty good shape and could be released tomorrow with a
clean bill of health."
"Good." Chazz squeezed Teel.
"But if you feel dizzy or nauseated at all tonight or tomorrow, come back."
The doctor shook a finger at Chazz.
"He will," Teel promised, her voice firm, one arm around Chazz's waist.
The two men smiled at her.
As they left the hospital, they met Nancy and Clint in the waiting room. Teel
suddenly remembered the shower, but Nancy reassured her. She had already
telephoned everyone and rescheduled the event.
Chazz was fine. Chazz was fine. The words rang in Teel's head just over a
week later as she dressed for her wedding. She looked down at the
cream-colored lace that her Aunt Tessa had brought for her from Spain. Her
friend Charine had fashioned it into a mantilla-like veil. The ecru silk gown
that Charine had made for her swirled out behind her to form a train. Veil
lace edged the sleeves and formed a bertha around the low neckline. Tiers of
silk material were caught at the dropped waist to create a modified bustle,
which made Teel's small waist look even smaller. Her neck rose from the
almost off-the- shoulder style like a slender column. Her skin glowed like
translucent porcelain.
Aunt Tessa was giving her away and, though she promised not to cry, she
had pushed several lace-edged hankies up the sleeve of her sky-blue dress.
Nancy was her only attendant. "You're the most beautiful bride I've ever
seen," she told Teel, sniffing discreetly.
Darby drove them to the church in the Rolls-Royce, patiently answering all
Aunt Tessa's questions about the limousine.
At the church Teel looked down the aisle and saw Father Gargan and Rabbi
Levine standing side by side. She was very grateful to both clergymen for
rearranging their schedules so that they could assist at her and Chazz's
wedding on such short notice.
When the organ played the processional, she walked down the aisle, never
taking her eyes off Chazz. He stared back at her, heat leaping in his eyes.
Later, Teel couldn't remember saying her vows, but she did remember
seeing both clergymen lift their hands in a blessing. Vaguely, she heard
someone say, and "You may kiss the bride."
Chazz turned her toward him, and she looked up and smiled. "I love you,"
she murmured, her voice as clear as a bell in the sudden silence of the
church.
Someone tittered. Someone whispered, "Did she say what I think she did?"
Teel didn't pay any attention. She only watched Chazz. She felt relaxed and
serene as she stared up into his familiar face.
"Darling." His voice was hoarse.
"You may kiss the bride now," Rabbi Levine whispered once more.
As the organ music swelled, Chazz pulled Teel close. His mouth touched
hers in a tender caress that held a promise of passion and enough love to last
them all their lives.
The reception was held at the Selby Museum. Chazz had arranged the
catering from a New York firm, but when the local ladies asked him if they
might bring their own dishes as well, he had kindly encouraged them.
Virtually the whole town was invited because Teel couldn't think of one
family she could exclude. Few of Chazz's business associates attended,
because Chazz had assured them that they would have another reception in
New York in the near future. Nevertheless, he took great pride in
introducing Teel to the small number of his associates who did attend. And
he neither left Teel's side nor let go of her hand the entire time. "How does it
feel to be married, Mrs. Herman?" he asked.
"Lovely." Teel felt unaccountably shy with him. The look in his eye was
possessive, but even more than that, she had the feeling that she could step
inside his eyes and revel in that golden world.
When it was time to change, Tilda and Nancy came with her. "I think it's
nice that you're going to take a week on the yacht," Tilda said, and she
smiled when Teel's mouth fell open. Tilda wrinkled her nose in dismay.
"Oh, I wasn't supposed to tell you!" She shrugged, then grinned when Teel
and Nancy laughed. "Teel, dear, one of the crew has taken your portrait to
the Deirdre, so you'll have your own surprise for Chazz."
"How can I ever thank you?" Teel asked, hugging the small woman with
sincere warmth.
"You can't," Tilda answered tersely, "so just go and enjoy yourselves."
In no time at all they were flying southward toward where the Deirdre was
docked. "My lovely aunt told you, didn't she?" Chazz whispered as he held
Teel against his shoulder.
"Yes." She laughed, hugging her secret about the painting to herself.
It was a relief to land and know that it was only a short drive to the ocean.
With Chazz at her side, the time seemed to fly past.
"We'll just cruise in the Caribbean for a few days," Chazz said as he helped
Teel out of the car and led her down into the forward cabin, looking
surprised when she gasped at the size of the room and how it was outfitted.
"That's right. You've never been in here before, have you? Do you like it?"
She nodded, staring around at the oak-trimmed stateroom, which was
dominated by a king-sized bed. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]